In the main event, Jon Jones, fighting for the first time following a 15-month suspension for the banned substance turinabol, became a three-time light heavyweight champion when he defeated Alexander Gustafsson via TKO for the relinquished title in a rematch of one of the greatest title fights in UFC history.

After UFC 232, however, no one was smiling wider than UFC President Dana White. In a brief interview after his postfight press conference, White asked to pass along a message: “Thank you, L.A. We appreciate it.”

A positive drug test for Jones last Friday turned up microscopic amounts of turinabol, deemed by experts a residual from his prior drug suspension. The Nevada State Athletic Commission said it lacked the time to investigate the most recent drug test. In order to preserve the main event – which White maintained was the right move because neither Jones nor Gustafsson had done anything wrong – the UFC found takers in the California State Athletic Commission and The Forum.

Despite the tumultuous week, which involved rearranging travel and lodging for all the UFC fighters and staff, transporting all the production gear, and explaining the process amid Jones’ drug-testing irregularity, White described it as “awesome.”

“To be able to pull something like this off, that I know nobody else could ever do, and for us to do it the way that we did it tonight, I love it,” White said. “I actually would have rather done this than stay in Vegas honestly.”

White originally had his doubts about the event. Despite cheaper tickets, a promising card and two scintillating main-event fights, White didn’t expect great attendance.

Instead, 15,862 fans showed up, for a gate of $2,066,604, and saw 10 finishes (six knockouts, four submissions) out of 13 fights.

“Incredible This place was … rocking,” White said. “People bought tickets behind the screens in the kill zones. It was awesome. I can’t tell you enough how much I love it.”

Night of redemption

Jones has been through a lot in his 10-year UFC career.

Two arrests, for DUI and felony hit-and-run charges in separate incidents, two suspensions for positive drug tests, two light heavyweight titles stripped.

This week, however, being at the center of a massive upheaval in a UFC card while trying to prepare to win back his belt – which he’s never lost in the Octagon, mind you – was challenging to say the least.
Jon Jones, red, defeats Alexander Gustafsson, blue, to win the Light heavyweight championship during UFC 232 at the Forum in Inglewood Ca, Saturday, Dec 29, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Jones, who has been praising his fiancee, family, coaches and fight team all week, attributed it to his faith.

“It’s been a testament to my strength and to God for upholding me,” Jones said in an interview before his postfight press conference. “Glory be to God, man. I can’t do that by myself. I think He gives me the strength.

“He told me a long time ago I was gonna be something great and be the greatest of all time. When you have faith in God and you work really hard, you can’t afford to break, you know? They say it’s not meant to be easy but worth it. He’s put me in this position in this sport and that’s why I give Him all the glory.”

Class on display

Cyborg, in suffering her first loss since her pro MMA debut in 2005 and being knocked out for the first time, addressed the media afterward and was candid and respectful.
Amanda Nunes, left, hugs Cris Cyborg after Nunes defeated her by first-round knockout to become the new UFC featherweight champion during UFC 232 at the Forum in Inglewood Ca, Saturday, Dec 29, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

She said while she might no longer be the champion, it is important for her to continue to be the champion in the hearts of her fans.

Money matters

Jones, Gustafsson and Cyborg each received $500,000 salaries for Saturday night’s fights. Nunes was paid $350,000, but also received a $50,000 bonus for Performance of the Night.

Lightweight Ryan Hall received the other $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his heel-hook submission that forced UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn to tap out for the first time in his illustrious 17-year career.

In a battle of top-10 featherweights, Alexander Volkanovski’s second-round knockout of Chad Mendes was deemed Fight of the Night and earned each $50,000.